School Talk, spring 2023

School Talk

Post-

How did we fare?

How do we compare?

How did we fare?

We’ve all seen the national headlines. A common media narrative describes the negative impact the pandemic has had on public schools across the nation.

On the cover: Highview sixthgrader Kenyon Thomas displays his first art class project of the semester, “The Dragon Eye,” which requires skill in shading and erasing.

School Talk is published by Mounds View Public Schools, Independent School District 621. Send correspondence to School Talk editor, 4570 Victoria St. N., Shoreview, MN 55126 or email schooltalk@mvpschools.org.

Mounds View Public Schools was not immune to the setbacks and challenges experienced by other public school districts in the U.S. But a closer look reveals a district that continues to lead the state in academic achievement, with robust mental health supports for students, slow-growing enrollment projections and schools fully staffed with well-qualified teachers.

“The journey through the pandemic wasn’t easy on anyone,” says School Board chair Jonathan Weinhagen.

“What impressed me the most was

Editors

Megan McKeen

Colin Sokolowski Designer

Susan Abbott Photographers

J.J. Killins

Lifetouch

Megan McKeen

Superintendent

Chris Lennox

2023 School Board

Shauna Bock

Heidi Danielson

Jim DeMay

Diane Glasheen

Yolanda Magee

Jonathan Weinhagen

Sandra Westerman

Para asistencia en traducciones ó ayuda como intérprete, por favor comuníquese con Angel Toro al 651-724-2854.

Yog xa tau kev pab thiab hais ua lus Hmoob thov hu rau Mee Yang ntawm 651-724-0396. Haddi aad ubaahantahay faahfaahin dheerad ah ama turjumaad, fadlan kala 651-262-4577.

the unwavering commitment our teachers, staff and administrators showed our students. Their concern for our students’ education and for their well-being was evident.”

School Board member Heidi Danielson agrees.

“I’m proud to see how our students, staff and schools have bounced back after unprecedented disruptions,” says Danielson. “Our schools are doing great and are working hard to always get better.”

How did our students fare, and how do our schools compare?

“I’m proud to see how our students, staff and schools have bounced back after unprecedented disruptions.”

— Heidi Danielson, School Board member

Students endured learning loss as national test scores plummeted Stress and anxiety worsened among students

Widespread staff shortages prompted schools to hire less-qualified teachers

Families fled public schools for other enrollment options

How do we compare?

Students continue to perform ahead of their national and state peers.

Unlike in other districts, all juniors take the ACT exam. Yet for the 15th consecutive year, our students earned an average score higher than the state and national averages.

Students, parents and staff are partnering to address student well-being.

90% of certified staff have been trained to recognize and respond to signs of psychological distress and connect students with additional supports.

90% of students report that teachers care about students.

— Minnesota Student Survey, 2022

6 ways the District is expanding and adding student support resources.

• Added two Mental Health Specialists and a Chemical Health and Prevention Specialist to our District team.

• Increased the number of embedded school-based therapists in secondary schools and continued providing access to home and school therapy for our elementary and kindergarten students who may face barriers to accessing care.

• A student support team hosts monthly interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure staff are prepared to effectively respond to complex student and family needs.

• Strengthened our relationships with community partners like the Ramsey County Family Collaborative and Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative. These partners allow us to connect families with a wide variety of supports to meet basic needs for housing, food, transportation, therapeutic services and more.

• An expanded website makes mental health and wellbeing resources more readily available to families. Visit mvpschools.org/support

Mounds View Public Schools is recognized as a Minnesota Champion District for Suicide Prevention through Minnesota Department of Health and Kognito, an evidence-based mental health and suicide prevention training program.

• Our elementary schools and kindergarten centers have implemented the Second Step curriculum to teach students in-common social and emotional skills.

Schools are fully staffed with highly-qualified teachers.

98% of teachers hold a Tier 3 teaching license or higher.

65% of teachers have a master’s degree.

94% of parents rate the teachers’ job performance as “excellent” or “good.”

-- April 2022, market research survey, 300 random sample of parents (+/-5.8%)

Finding substitute teachers remains a challenge for Mounds View and many districts. Join our team! mvpschools.org/employment

A decade of enrollment growth was interrupted. Why?

• Aging population with smaller percentage of households with children

• More Minnesotans move out than in

• School choice competition increasing

• Few families moving during the pandemic

To view the District’s Comprehensive Housing and Enrollment Study from December 2022, visit mvpschools.org

The District’s capture rate remains among the highest in the state. More than eight out of 10 resident students are enrolled in Mounds View Public Schools Mounds View Minnesota

Steady enrollment growth is expected over the next 10 years.

In late 2022, demographic consultant Hazel Reinhardt completed a comprehensive housing and enrollment study which projects steady resident growth over the next 10 years, eventually exceeding 12,000 students during this time.

Factors that could affect future enrollment projections?

• Rice Creek Commons development in Arden Hills

• A change in the District’s open enrollment policy, which is currently closed to new non-residents

• Families choosing alternative learning options including home schools, online learning schools and independent schools

“Even though some families left for other choices, Mounds View is still very strong in capturing resident students.”

— Hazel Reinhardt, demographic consultant

Take a spin!

Schools offer 360° virtual tours

Nowthat recent construction efforts have produced additional spaces for every building, the District has partnered with a virtual tour production company to create interactive, 360° photo tours.

Like popular real estate tours, these virtual school tours allow visitors to pull and drag an image in 360 degrees as well as zoom in and out of each featured space. Tours are available for the District’s two kindergarten centers, six elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools.

Each school’s tour includes:

• Drone aerial videos

• Panoramic photos

• Photo slideshows

• Space descriptions

• Directions to campus

• Contact information

• Other action links

The tours do not offer visitors an interconnected, directional route through each building. Instead, they offer a closer look at up to 10 separate locations throughout the building.

“These buildings belong to the community, and we’re proud to share a look inside, especially for our residents who might not otherwise get a chance to tour them in person,” says Superintendent Chris Lennox. “These are not intended to be a replacement for in-person tours. Any resident or prospective family is welcome to schedule a visit.”

Check out the tours by visiting any school website at mvpschools.org/schoolname.

District rolls out Food-to-Hogs program

F or years, Island Lake Elementary School operated a very successful Food-to-Hogs program in its cafeteria. In 2019, the Nutrition Services and Operations departments expanded the Food-to-Hogs program to five more elementary schools.

The program asks students and staff to sort meal waste into three streams: trash, recycling and food waste. The food waste was then transported to Barthold Farm in St. Francis, Minnesota, processed and fed to pigs. At its peak, the six schools sent over 34,000 pounds of food waste a month to the farm.

After an interruption due to COVID-19, the District continued to roll out the Food-to-Hogs program to the kindergarten centers and the middle schools. Plans to include the high schools in this program are currently in process.

Food is a resource, not trash

Everyday food scraps from school meals, such as sandwich crusts, fruit rinds and milk can be easily transformed into food for livestock. This not only lessens the impact on the environment and is cost-saving, but also reduces the amount of trash that the District produces. Food waste from meals at school are sorted into green bins, temporarily stored in sheds and picked up by the farm to be cooked to prevent harmful bacteria. Finally, the processed food scraps are fed to pigs. After students finish their meals, they bring their remaining items to a sorting table in the cafeteria. Staff are available to assist them in sorting their items into labeled trash, recycling and food waste barrels. Students are asked to sort their items at their tables to ensure an efficient sorting process at the table.

Examples of food that can be sorted and sent to the farm:

• Vegetables

• Meat and bones

• Dairy (including milk)

• Fruit

• Baked goods

Students and staff then deposit the rest of their unused meal scraps into other bins for recycling and trash. Recyclable items include milk cartons, juice cartons, bottles and cans. Items for the trash bin include plastic packaging, styrofoam, and foil.

This program reduces landfill waste as well as offers sustainable and healthful food to livestock in the community.

“This program is not only cost-saving, but it also reduces our impact on the environment and it keeps unnecessary trash out of landfills.”

— Chris Paquette, director of operations

Housing and enrollment study

In December, demographic consultant Hazel Reinhardt presented a report on a comprehensive housing and enrollment study which projects steady resident growth over the next 10 years. Resident enrollment is expected to reach more than 12,000 students in that time. See page 5 for more details.

Tax decrease certified

The Board approved a resolution in December to certify the 2023 property tax levy. The final certification will be forwarded to Ramsey County for processing of the final property tax statement. The tax statements will be sent out in March 2023. The property tax revenue will be available to the District for the 2023-24 school year. The total levy amount is $60,908,536.39, which is a decrease of more than four percent. For more information, please visit mvpschools.org/finance.

Non-resident enrollment options

The Board adopted a resolution that the District remain closed for non-resident enrollment options for the 2023-24 school year. The current capacities of school buildings and the projections of continued resident enrollment growth were factors in this decision.

Audit report

In January, a representative from the audit firm Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich & Co., P.A. reviewed the 2021-22 audited financial statements and supplemental reports. During the presentation to the Board, the representative noted that the audit was clean and there were no findings to report. The audit report is available at mvpschools.org/finance

Officer elections

Every year at its first meeting in January, the School Board holds an organizational meeting to elect officers, make committee and school liaison assignments and settle other routine business. This year the Board re-elected Jonathan Weinhagen as chair, Diane Glasheen as vice chair, Sandra Westerman as clerk and Shauna Bock as treasurer.

Diane Glasheen, Yolanda Magee, Shauna Bock, Sandra Westerman, Jonathan Weinhagen, Heidi Danielson and Jim DeMay.

Watch a brief video illustrating the role of the School Board in Mounds View Public Schools. Visit mvpschools.org/board.

EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Mounds View Schools Education Foundation works in collaboration with Mounds View Schools District leadership to identify programs that require funding to advance opportunities for students throughout the Mounds View District. For more information on the Foundation visit mvsef.org

Keep reaching for the stars!

Students at Turtle Lake Elementary, pictured with teacher Mrs. Boyer-Kellermann, recently visited StarLab, a portable, inflatable planetarium that enhances science education for all students as it travels among District schools. In 2019, the MVSEF was proud to sponsor a capital campaign to raise funds to replace the District’s aging StarLab.

New Members of the Board of Trustees

Rob Reetz

Currently principal of Mounds View High School, Rob has served the Mounds View School District in various capacities for the past 15 years. He joined the board last year after more than a decade of support and volunteerism at events like Rock the School House. He also serves on the board’s communications committee. Rob values how the foundation brings people together to celebrate and support our schools. Said Reetz, “The fundraising aspect is incredibly helpful to our schools, but investing further in this community and sharing the incredible work of staff and kids in our schools is why I wanted to join the board.”

Kim Tamble

Save the Date for Rock the School House

Mark your calendars for the evening of Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the North Oaks Golf Club for the next chapter of the foundation’s long-standing fundraising event, Rock the School House! Registration will open in late spring. Email info@mvsef.org or visit tinyurl.com/RTSHvols to indicate interest about event sponsorship opportunities, volunteering and donating silent/live auction items.

Having lived in Arden Hills for over 20 years, Kim Tamble is passionate about serving our district community and is also part of the board’s events committee. With a background in developing strategic partnerships in higher education, and having served in executive leadership roles for the Arden Hills Foundation, she has worked to enhance the quality of life for residents and empower meaningful connections among communities, organizations and businesses. As a parent with a child attending school in the District, she feels board service is a great way to give back. Said Tamble, “I wanted to continue my volunteer service with a mission I really believed in. Making a difference for students in our district is an ideal opportunity to build community and make a lasting impact.”

Music for Mounds View

Music for Mounds View is a benefit concert featuring a variety of student performers that raises money for various non-profit organizations, such as the Angel Foundation, American Cancer Society, Marit Swenson Shining Light Foundation and National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The concert will take place at Mounds View High School (1900 Lake Valentine Rd., Arden Hills) on Saturday, April 15, from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

The concert was founded in 2018 as a memorial for Mounds View students lost in recent years, with past concerts raising more than $4,000 for charity. More information regarding the event will develop in the next month. Contact moundsviewnhs@gmail.com for more information about the event.

Back for 2023! Chalkboard Capers

Chalkboard Capers is a variety show presented annually by the Mounds View Education Association. District teachers and staff host the show to raise money for student scholarships for graduating seniors from Irondale High School, Mounds View High School, REACH Academy, Area Learning Center and Adult Basic Education. After a long hiatus due to COVID-19, the show is returning this spring!

Fifth annual PowWow

Dates & Times

March 29 5:15 p.m.

March 30 6:30 p.m.

March 31 6:30 p.m.

April 1 6:30 p.m.

Irondale High School (2425 Long Lake Road, New Brighton)

Scan here for ticket information!

Spring plays

Irondale

The Dining Room

April 27-30

Mounds View

Little Shop of Horrors

April 27-30

Highview

Shrek the Musical Jr.

Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 29 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Register for summer day camps!

Registration opens March 27 at 9 a.m. Flip through the digital catalog and register at mvpschools.org/communityed

Join us on Saturday, April 15, for the Mounds View Public Schools fifth annual PowWow to celebrate and honor American Indian students, education and tradition. This free event will include song, dance and more. The grand entry takes place at 1 p.m. at Highview Middle School.

Head dancers Brooke Red Bear and Zack Red Bear lead the dancers during the Grand Entry at the 2022 PowWow at Highview Middle School.

Three MVHS seniors give back

In the summer of 2022, three Mounds View seniors founded two nonprofits with the goal of giving back to their school and community. One nonprofit aims to help students at all levels better understand mathematical concepts they learn in math class, while another builds websites for local businesses at no cost. Read the Shoreview Press feature at mvpschools.org/schooltalkplus.

National School Lunch Week recipe contest

The Nutrition Services department celebrated National School Lunch Week by holding student recipe contests at each elementary school. The winners won the opportunity to serve their winning recipe to their classmates at lunch for one day. Winners served their recipes at school throughout the month of November. See photos of the winners at mvpschools.org/schooltalkplus.

Winners:

Storie Johnson, Bel Air

Lucy Delong, Island Lake

Kamiya Jackson, Pinewood

Allison Banaszak, Sunnyside

Lucy Ostman, Sunnyside

D’Asia Bell-White, Sunnyside

Lucy Pino, Turtle Lake

Teddy Ashmore, Valentine Hills

Rozlynn Kaiser, Valentine Hills

Island Lake student competes at World Series event

Island Lake fifth-grader

Jaycie Helmer tied for first place in the National Pitch, Hit & Run competition during game two of the MLB World Series in Houston in October. To break the tie, she competed in six pitch-off rounds with her competitor, ultimately finishing in second place. To qualify for the allexpenses paid trip to the World Series, she won the Twins local event in June and the Midwest Regional Competition in August.

Mounds View High School seniors Shivam Vashishtha, Benjamin Wiggenhorn and Shaurya Sehgal founded two nonprofits that offer help to students and local business owners. Photo courtesy of the Shoreview Press.

Bel Air fourth-grader Storie Johnson serves her recipe, Dirt Dessert, to her classmates after winning the school-wide recipe contest held by the Nutrition Services department in October.

Island Lake fifth-grader Jaycie Helmer poses with her dad at the World Series after winning second place in the National Pitch, Hit & Run competition.

THE DISTRICT

Fall performances

For more photos, visit mvpschools.org/schooltalkplus

Mounds View Theater presents “Almost, Maine”

The Mounds View High School Theater department performed its fall play, “Almost, Maine” in November. More than 100 students were involved in the production including the cast, costuming, technology and building the set.

Edgewood performs “Annie, Jr.”

Edgewood Middle School students performed “Annie, Jr.” in November.

Irondale Drama performs “Flat Stanley” for elementary students

This winter, Irondale Drama students toured the District’s elementary schools with their children’s play, “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley.” It culminated in a final performance for the public at Irondale’s recently constructed 650-seat auditorium.

Irondale Drama presents “The Addams Family”

Irondale Drama performed their fall musical, “The Addams Family” in November. The drama team received the “Outstanding Overall Production” award from the Spotlight Education Program sponsored by Hennepin Theatre Trust. Irondale Drama has been invited to perform at the Spotlight Showcase awards program at the State Theatre in June 2023.

Bel Air Elementary receives furniture donation

In December, Bel Air Elementary School hosted the dedication of flexible classroom furniture in honor of Chris and Amanda Duffy’s daughter, Reese, who would have been in second grade this school year. Chris and Amanda raised funds to donate a selection of flexible furniture for second-grade classrooms.

State Capitol performance

The Chippewa Middle School orchestra performed in the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda in January. This came as in-person events slowly returned to the building following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Youth in Government

In January, Highview eighth-graders attended the YMCA’s Youth in Government conference in Minneapolis with delegations from across Minnesota and Wisconsin. During the conference, participants focus on state and local issues, meet other students with similar interests and practice leadership skills in an entirely student-led state government. Once students reach high school, they can serve as legislators, judges, attorneys, lobbyists, media representatives or cabinet members during the four-day conference.

Skier creates trail signs for teammates

As part of his Eagle Scout project, Nordic skier Franklin Doncavage (sophomore), worked to create and install signage for the Irondale Nordic Ski Program that included maps and trail support for the team. The Irondale Nordic ski team is one of the only teams in the area that owns and maintains its own Nordic ski trails. The trail is 3.1 miles long and is used for practices and competitions, but is also open for public use.

Superintendent testifies in State Senate committee

During the first week of the Minnesota state legislative session, Superintendent Chris Lennox testified in support of a State Senate bill that would provide one-time funding for several areas including transportation aid, free meals for all students and funding to address the English learner crosssubsidy and special education cross-subsidy.

Students create map for local forest

In the fall, Pinewood Elementary School fifth-graders visited Edgewood Forest to learn about ecosystems, shelter-building and animal adaptations. Students learned about combating invasive species, participated in hands-on activities and went for a nature hike. Students also collaborated to create an updated map design for the forest trails that was placed in the forest later in the spring.

Governor signs CROWN Act

Turtle Lake third-grader Ikan Desta stood beside Governor Tim Walz as he signed the CROWN Act into law in February. The law bans discrimination based on a person’s natural hair texture or style, including braids, locs and twists, under the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The law confirms protection in schools, government buildings, restaurants, retail stores, workplaces and more.

Assistant Senate Majority Leader and District parent Mary Kunesh watches as Superintendent Chris Lennox testifies at the State Capitol in support of increased school funding.

From top left: Morayo Ayinde, Will Washington, Koi Long.

Second row: Amelia Brown, Lucas Fernandez, Ella Tilden.

Turtle Lake third-grader Ikan Desta stands to the left of Governor Walz as he signs the CROWN Act.

Students donate more than 500 toys

During the holiday season, the Mounds View High School Student Council, Educators Rising and UNICEF club organized a toy drive to benefit the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf’s Operation Joy Toy Shop. Students raised more than $800 for the cause and donated more than 500 toys to children in need.

Alumni update

2016 Mounds View High School graduate Sydney Brodt recently joined the Minnesota Whitecaps, a women’s professional hockey team in the Premier Hockey Federation. She played varsity girls hockey after making the team in eighth grade, and then went on to play hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth. “A highlight for me while playing for the Mounds View team was going to the state tournament twice when I was in eighth grade and when I was a sophomore,” Brodt said. “I had a lot of great friends on the team, and I loved my coaches.”

Middle schools celebrate History Day

Eighth-graders at Highview and Edgewood middle schools celebrated National History Day with showcases in February. Students spent five weeks researching a historical topic of their choosing, analyzed the significance of their topic and shared what they learned with their school communities and a judging panel. More than half a million students participate annually in National History Day programs.

Students at Edgewood and Highview middle schools show off their history research projects during the schools’ history fairs in February.

Photo courtesy of the Shoreview Press.

Students from Mr. Ostrom’s class won first place in Mounds View High School’s toy drive competition this winter. Students in the class donated 103 toys and books and celebrated with a pizza party.

WITH HONORS

Minnesota Teacher of the Year

Six District teachers have been named candidates for the 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award. The award is the oldest and most prestigious award honoring excellence in education in the state. After semifinal and final rounds in the coming months, the statewide Teacher of the Year will be named May 7.

High school DECA teams recognized

The Irondale and Mounds View high school DECA teams were among 525 chapters that achieved THRIVE-level recognition this year. Students who achieve this level are recognized at the International DECA Conference that will take place in Orlando in April. In order to receive THRIVE-level recognition, teams must complete two of the following campaigns: community service, ethical leadership and a promotional campaign. DECA’s mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

Irondale

Twenty-two Irondale High School DECA students qualified for the State DECA Competition in Minneapolis. Four Irondale DECA alumni, now students at the University of Minnesota, helped participants prepare for the competition that ultimately qualified them for the state competition.

Congressional App Challenge winner

Mounds View High School

freshman John Liu took third place in The Congressional App Challenge after creating MiniTax, an educational app to help teens or first-time taxpayers understand the importance and function of taxes in society. John was honored in a virtual ceremony in December hosted by Congresswoman Betty McCollum.

Mounds View

Mounds View DECA members organized a community service campaign that brought more than 300 pounds of food and raised more than $2,700 for the Ralph Reeder Community Food Shelf.

Kathryn O’Brien Bridges

Diane Waite Irondale High School

Brittany Wenzel Pike Lake Kindergarten

Jacob Hairrell Mounds View High School

Richard Rosivach Irondale High School

Mackenzie Keimig Mounds View High School

Mounds View High School DECA students show the DECA diamond symbol at the District 6 DECA competition in January. Twenty-two students placed in the top six in their competition.

Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards

Four Irondale High School student artists earned awards in the Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards, the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Lily Thai (senior) earned three Gold Keys, one Honorable Mention and one Silver Key. Lydia Nau (senior) earned a Silver Key. Vinina Chen (freshman) earned Honorable Mention. Clare Hinnenkamp (senior) earned Honorable Mention, as well as entry into the Arts North International Exhibition, a prestigious art show open to artists of all ages worldwide. Her piece was one of 161 selected from 994 entries.

Voice of Democracy essay contest

The Brooker Edmond VFW Post 724 sponsored their annual writing program for middle and high school level students and recently awarded the top students. At the high school level, students wrote and recorded a speech on the topic “Why is the Veteran Important?” At the middle school level, students wrote an essay on the topic of “My Pledge to our Veterans,” where three Chippewa Middle School students won awards at the local level.

Chippewa Middle School’s essay contest winners were honored in a virtual ceremony.

Top to bottom: Kaitlyn Genia (second place), Savannah Hastreiter (third place) and Aditi Verma (first place).

Mounds View Principal Rob Reetz, teacher Jill Hallenberger, and VFW representative Terry Hoye present awards to the winners of the Voice of Democracy scholarship program. John Liu (third place), Rosie Floeder (second place) Magnolia Taylor (first place).

Irondale High School freshman Lucia Blechert receives the winning award for the Voice of Democracy contest. Also pictured, left to right: Principal Vichai Saefong, media specialist Aaron Blechert and VFW representative Terry Hoye.

Senior Clare Hinnenkamp poses with her entry to the Arts North International Exhibition, a prestigious art show open to artists of all ages worldwide. Her piece was on display at the Hopkins Center for the Arts during the month of February.

WITH HONORS

U.S. Presidential Scholar candidates

Five Mounds View High School students were named candidates for the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars program. Established in 1964, this esteemed program recognizes and honors excellence in high school seniors around the country. Each year, up to 161 students are named U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the Nation’s highest honors for high school students. Mounds View Public Schools is tied for claiming the third highest number of candidates named from Minnesota.

Top districts

1. Wayzata

2. Minnetonka

3. Mounds View, District 196, Eden Prairie, Edina

4. Rochester, South Washington County

5. Osseo

Student wins EPIC award

Mounds View High School freshman Krisha Pillai was recently honored with the Target EPIC Award, an award designed to celebrate and honor young girls who are passionate, innovative and curious about the STEM field. Krisha was one of 25 winners from around the state and was chosen based on her academic accomplishments related to STEM. Krisha is involved in robotics, Science Olympiad and started a science podcast (SciWhizz) during the pandemic to promote interest in science. She also participates in activities such as debate club, dance, speech, chess, piano and golf.

Promoting diversity through art

Students from Island Lake Elementary School won second and ninth place in Shoreview’s 30th annual One Community of Many Colors art contest. Fourth-grade students are invited to submit a poster that includes people of different races and cultures engaged in positive activity. The purpose of the contest is to encourage young people to interact more freely and comfortably with those whom they view as different from themselves, and to experience the value of diversity. More than 300 posters from area schools were submitted.

Second place (right): Ishvari Kulkarni

Ninth place (left): Maya Anderson

Honorable mention (not pictured): Louisa Choi

Mateo Nacusi Jack Ohmann

Aurora Wang

Leigha Wood

Collette Whalen

SEC Music Festival

Irondale and Mounds View High School all-conference musicians gathered at East Ridge High School in Woodbury to perform at the 32nd annual Suburban East Conference Music Festival in February. The annual event invites the top student musicians from all 10 schools in the Suburban East Conference to perform for their peers and colleagues, as well as work with highly-trained instructors to improve their skills.

Irondale All-Conference musicians

Top row (left to right): Edwin Becerra, Ben Kuipers, Emmett Botten, Garrett Mahlum, Emma Dykstra, Wyatt Erwin, James Chiri, Coen Breuch, Austin Tranowski, Peter Markham.

Middle row (left to right): Carson Bockenhauer, Miles Collins, Ava O’Rourke, Ada Vanderbilt, Brennica Hillerud, Ian Vue, Lillian Zhang, Samantha Wiesner, Jaidyn Meaux.

Front row (left to right): Jimena Sichiqui, Reesa Venterea, Anna Presseller, Joyce Palacios, Jennifer Rupp, Mia Nordberg.

Mounds View All-Conference musicians

Band

Thomas Baker-Trinity, Jace Blood, Yasmine Cross, Elias Hagfors, Matthew Hahn, Max Huberty, Lauren Li, Vincent Meyer, Gael Petronilo, Natalie Simms, Anders Schmidt, Sreya Subramanian

Choir

Bjorn Anderson, Brooke Baumeister, Sonali Bhaskar, Lucy Ehlers, Anja Horsman, Cora Manrodt, Eva Manrodt, Jack Nitti, Andres Vargas

Orchestra

Logan Bone, Henry Cahoon, Mounika Gadela, Annabel Grindheim, Sophia Huang, Lola Maves, Ryan Moore, Quincy Shi, Joseph Shin, Charlotte Wise, Emily Zhao

IRONDALE

Alpine ski

At the alpine ski conference meet in January, Anthony Petkov (junior) took first place overall out of 84 skiers.

Boys hockey

In December, the Irondale boys hockey team held an Alumni Night, where more than 60 former team members came together for a recreational game. Players came from graduation classes ranging from 1980 to 2021.

Boys basketball

The Irondale boys basketball team defeated conference and district rival Mounds View with a score of 65-57 at their highly anticipated game in January.

Get your tickets online

Ticket sales for all home athletic contests are now online. Purchases can be made on a smartphone, tablet or computer. Learn more and purchase tickets online or download the Hometown Ticket app here: mvpschools.org/tickets

Track co-curricular activities on your mobile devices. Search MOUNDS VIEW PUBLIC SCHOOLS in the app store.

Irondale Knights on Twitter @GoIrondale

facebook.com/

IrondaleHighSchool

For the most up-to-date news, visit the Activities and Athletics website at www.mvpschools.org/irondale

Nordic ski

The Irondale Nordic teams had a strong showing in the Section 5A championships. On the girls team, Azelle Besemann (freshman), Addy Granlund (freshman), Renata Kikeh (freshman), Mia Nordberg (junior), Sophie Stephens (freshman), Siri Stolen (junior) and Amelie VanLoon (eighth grade) placed second overall as a team and qualified for the state meet in February. Mia Nordberg and Siri Stolen received section honors.

The boys team finished third overall in the section, narrowly missing state team qualification. Earning section awards and qualifying for state as individuals were Noah Besemann (senior) and Luke O’Rourke (sophomore).

College commitments

This fall, the following student athletes signed letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic achievements at the college level.

Emmett Botten, swimming, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire

Peyton Howie, volleyball, Bethel University

Charlie Shaver, lacrosse, Rockhurst University

Foster Mulvehill, football, Bemidji State University

Raiah Mandell, volleyball, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Ralph Naimah, football, St. Olaf College

Sam Tschida, baseball, Augsburg University

Thomas Westbrook, football, Augsburg University

Tre’vion Mack, football, Syracuse University

MOUNDS VIEW

Girls soccer third at state

The girls soccer team took third place in the state tournament against Stillwater in November, winning the game 2-1.

Boys cross country

The boys cross country team won sections and went on to place fifth at the state tournament this fall.

College commitments

In November, the following student athletes signed letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic achievements at the college level.

Jessica Eischens, soccer, University of Minnesota Duluth

Jack Henrich, baseball, Southeastern Iowa Community College

Taylor Isabel, cross country and track, University of Minnesota

Lauren McAlpine, soccer, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Elliott McArthur, cross country and track, North Carolina State University

Andrew Simon, baseball, Dakota Wesleyan University (not pictured)

Get your tickets online

For the most up-to-date news, visit the Activities and Athletics website at www.mvpschools.org/moundsview.

Ticket sales for all home athletic contests are now online. Purchases can be made on a smartphone, tablet or computer. Learn more and purchase tickets online or download the Hometown Ticket app here: mvpschools.org/tickets

Nordic Ski

The Nordic ski team had an impressive showing at the sections championship, with six skiers qualifying for the state tournament in February.

Individual:

Linnea Ousdigian, eighth grade

Claire Sabby, junior

Relay:

Margot Derosier, sophomore

Levi Hammerbeck, junior

Owen Kalmes, sophomore

Brynn Mills, senior

Girls swim and dive

The girls swimming and diving team had a successful showing at the state meet. Swimmers Ellie Bina (freshman), Alexis Easley (junior), Alana Schmitzer (senior) and Hannah Song (sophomore) were named state finalists in the medley relay. Ellie Bina (freshman) also placed seventh in the 200 freestyle and fifth in the 500 freestyle, setting school records in both events.

Ultimate frisbee

Three Mounds View High School Ultimate players were selected to represent Minnesota on the national stage in August at the Youth Club Championship. Kyle Dolbow (sophomore), Wyatt Mackenthun (junior) and Dylan Marsh (junior) were selected for the U17 Boys Minnesota Superior Team after a competitive tryout process. Minnesota went undefeated and came home with the National Championship title.

Girls cross country

The girls cross country team placed third in the Class AAA state tournament this fall.

Figure skating

Skylar Weirens (senior) was named to U.S. Figure Skating’s Scholastic Honors Team. One of their oldest and most prestigious awards, it recognizes 10 high school-age students from across the nation who have distinguished themselves in figure skating, academics and community involvement. He was recognized at the 2023 U.S. Figure Skating National Championships in January.

Left to right: Kyle Dolbow, Dylan Marsh, Wyatt Mackenthun and coach Tyler Smith

Register for SUMMER DAY CAMPS!

Registration opens March 27 at 9 a.m.

Flip through the electronic catalog and register at mvpschools.org/CommunityEd.